Improvement in regulators for spring-clocks and watches



M. MUCHIN.

Regulators for Spring-Clocks and Watches.

Patented N0v.10,1874.

'WE GRAPHVC CO =HQTO-LITM358 kl PARK PLACEINXI UNITED STATES PATENTOFFIcE.

MATTHElV MUOHIN, OF RIGA, RUSSIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN REGULATORS FOR SPRING-CLOCKS AND WATCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,647, dated November10, 1874; application filed August 7, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MATTHEW MUCHIN, of Riga, Empire of Russia, haveinvented a new Regulator for Spring-Clocks and Vatches, of which thefollowing is a specification:

My invention relates to a regulator for spring-clocks and watches, bywhich a continual and automatieal regulation is attained.

In all spring-clocks and watches, the motive power slackens as thespring unwinds; consequently the clock goes slower and slower if it benot provided with some appliance to counterbalance this loss of tensionofthe spring. The variation of the length of the balancespring affords ameans which is generally employed for this purpose, the variation beingeffected by displacing a special finger, in order that the average speedmay be a normal one.

Evidently, if the displacement of the balance-finger-i. 0., theregulation of the length of the springwere continuous and proportionalto the loss of tension of the motivespring, the clock or watch would goregularly, if, however, it be not modified by irregularities of adifferent nature, and which do not coincide with the present case.

The appliance which I have invented for continually regulating clocksand watches con sists of a mechanism, shown in the annexed drawings, ofwhich Figure 1 is a front view; Fig. 2, a transverse section of themotivespring barrel through the axle, and of the other parts of themechanism. Fig. 3 shows the disposition of the mechanism of the balance.

a is the axle, to which is fixed, as usual, the spring t, which is woundup by turning this axle. The part b of the axle a is threaded, and has ascrew-nut, c, on it. This screw-nut is united to the barrel 0 by twopins, d 01-, so that the barrel 0 turns the screw-nut c on the axle a,and consequently forces it along the threading b of the axle a. Asusual, the other extremity of the spring t is fastened to the barrel 0,thus givingit arotatory motion, determined by the oscillation of thebalance, while the axle a remains stationary. It follows that thescrew-nut 0 moves itself farther and farther from the barrel 0 as thespring t unwinds. The screw-nut c is provided outside with circulargrooves, which work into the teeth of the pinion f of the axle g, sothat the movement of the screw-nut 0 along the axle a turns the axle g.This axle g has another pinion, h, Figs. 1 and 3, which works into atoothed segment, fastened to the scale-plate 70, which automaticallydiminishes the length of the spring a of the balance 1) by means of ashort arm, 1, fastened to the finger m, as is usually done. Instead oftwo pinions, f and h, wedged to the smooth axle g, one may use an axleprovided with longitudinal grooves, or made of fluted wire.

The summary regulation of the working of the clock is produced, asusual, by the finger m, which may be turned either way independently ofthe plate is, but which is frictionally united to this plate. If thevarious parts of this mechanism be proportionally made it is evidentthat the watch or clock cannot go too slowly.

When the spring t of the watch or clock is wound up, the screw-nut 0moves back along the axle a, and at the same time the arm 6 lengthensthe spring a of the balance 19, as it effectually should be.

By a slight modification in the arrangement of the devices, the sameresults are obtainedas, for instance, I can employ a smooth axle, a,instead of a threaded one, and place in the center of the side plate ofthe spring-barrel c a boss having a screw-threaded surface, upon whichthe nut c is screwed by the rotation of the spring-barrel c.

To prevent the nut from revolving with the barrel c,the nut c isprovided with two grooves of the same diameter, and formed on theopposite ends. WVith these grooves engages a pin firmly held in the axlea.

By this arrangement the nut 0 will move to or from the barrel 0 as theaxle a or the barrel 0 is turned, producing the result already described.

Having thus described my said invention, and the way in which it is tobe performed, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to theprecise details herein described; but

I claim as new and essential in my inven tion- 1. The combination of thebalance-spring and regulator, operated by the main or motor spring, withany suitable intermediate mechanism, whereby the variation of the lengthor tension of the balance-spring is automatically and continuouslyregulated according to the diminution of the tension of the mainspring,substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the mechanism c011- sistin g of the screw 1), thescrew-nut 0, the axle g, with the pinions f and h, and the toothedsegment i, fixed to the movable plate 70, substantially as described,and shown in the annexed drawings, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand thistwenty-fourth day of May, 1874.

MATTHEW M UC IIIN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES, Tours, J OHANNER HAUSMANN.

